Stop 32 — McCausland-Taylor House

Address: 412 North Poplar Street Year built: 1850 Style: Federal Notable: Crab-claw "welcome arms" brick steps — a period propriety detail

The McCausland-Taylor House at 412 North Poplar is an 1850 Federal-style residence. It is one of the oldest buildings on the walking tour — predated only by the 1820 Sloan-Davidson House (stop 27) and tied with the 1867 Lyles-Sims House (stop 26) for the next tier.

The welcome-arms steps

Per Friends of Fourth Ward: the McCausland-Taylor is distinguished by its crab-claw "welcome arms" brick front steps. The dual-curve staircase was a period design that served a specific social function — gentlemen walked up one side and ladies walked up the other, so that the ladies' ankles remained concealed from male view when they had to raise their skirts and petticoats to clear the steps.

That is a detail that tells you a great deal about 1850 Charlotte propriety.

History of use

Per FOFW, the house has been a boarding house for girls, an antique shop, and an apartment house. It is now a private residence.

← Stop 31 · Back to walking tour hub · Next: stop 33, Bootlegger House →

Source: Friends of Fourth Ward, Self-Walking Tour (2016). Retrieved April 24, 2026.